Slowly Rolling Camera: music that breaks the fourth wall

There are moments in life that transform our existence—events that push us to question our place in the world. In an instant, uncertainty casts a shadow over our path. While most will endure this experience, only a few will grasp that bitterness is fleeting and that the cold shadow will eventually give way, revealing a light stronger than ever.

In the valley of solitude, when shadows take hold of the surroundings, some songs come to rescue us, melodies that, as they play, transform pain into sweet relief. For many, the music of Slowly Rolling Camera is the essential soundtrack to finding their way out of the winding path. As Dave Stapleton, one of the band’s founders, explains, "The album leans toward melancholy rather than joy, but it’s about overcoming hardship. The feeling is that, as human beings, we go through challenges that make us stronger. I believe that when bad things happen, there’s always a positive outcome if you use it right. That’s the message: to use music to find inner belief and optimism to move forward." Stapleton, along with Deri Roberts and Elliot Bennett, has transformed the meaning of cinematic music. Together, they create a soundscape that resonates deeply with those seeking solace.

Ten years after their first album, this trio continues to capture scenes of everyday life and emotions through music. "We've always come from very different places: I come from a classical background, Derry comes from a compositional electronics background, and Elliot brings a pop and hip-hop influence. These elements come together with a focus on creating something produced, expansive, and passionate." Stapleton continues, "With the new album Silver Shadow, we're not trying to be too clever with it—the harmonies aren't particularly adventurous, and it's not overly modern. It's more about blending our influences and genres to make something bold, progressive, and forward-thinking. The aim is to create something with gravitas and emotion."

Throughout eight tracks, listeners can perceive the maturity of this trio, accompanied by an ensemble of collaborators that elevate the cinematic piece into the realm of jazz. "This album, while still influenced by cinema, is much more focused and immediate. I wanted to create these little sound worlds that could be used in films to bridge scenes and tell a story. The idea was to write tracks with one sound and emotion throughout; for example, the first track, 'Rebirth,' maintains a consistent groove, feel, and vibe. I could imagine it being used in a film, like a scene with someone sitting in the back of a taxi in New York at night, looking out the window and thinking, with that soundtrack playing." He also notes the musical instrumentation of the album: "The big inspiration was to write these mini soundtracks while keeping our core sounds—like the drums, the Fender Rhodes—and bringing back the double bass, which we hadn't done for a while. From the beginning of the project, I wanted to include that double bass sound. We also added horns, saxophone, and trumpet on top."

Each piece of Silver Shadow is a movie in itself, with distinct scenes and emotions despite their abstract nature. In their creative process, the musicians navigate two paths: the scripted and the improvisational. "We are improvisers, but there's a clear structure to the music. It's written in a way that allows for improvisation. On the record, I’m taking different improvisations and constructing parts through editing, which is also part of the writing process. For example, Verneri Pohjola would send me two or three takes of the trumpet, and I would take bits from each one to construct something, bringing in space and allowing it to develop. It’s about blending improvisation as a writing tool to create the script." Despite their filmic vision, their focus remains on what is truly essential: the music. "Improvisation is still a very important part of it, but we use it differently. Instead of just capturing a live improvised moment, we're using it as a tool for writing and creating the overall structure."

The theatrical structure extends beyond the music; it also influences the album’s aesthetic design. "It’s interesting—on the album cover, there’s a small character in the window on the L of Slowly. That figure comes from a photo I took in Rotterdam a few months ago. He looked like a character from a film, standing in his 70s, pensive at the train station. He seemed like an intriguing figure, and I thought, This could be cool.” The capacity for wonder is fundamental in artistic language: beauty reveals itself to the right eyes. "He’s like an old character who inspired the concept. I saw him standing on the corner at night and began to think about his journey. At the station, lost in thought, we wondered if we could create a soundtrack that encapsulates his fictitious life. With the song Rebirth, we started with a world imbued with optimism. I imagined him staring, bathing in the sunlight, and could hear the soundtrack that would perfectly accompany his contemplative moment."

Compositions become collective when the music reflects the lives of those who listen to it. For some, it may define a moment in their history; for the group, it is a project that heals and keeps them focused on their artistic goals. "As a band, the collective importance of our music has grown over the years. We've been friends for 20 years and have been playing together in this band for 10 years. Music is not just a job for us; it's a crucial part of our lives. For our listeners, we aim to create something that offers integral enjoyment and meaning." As Stapleton mentions, some tracks start simply, in a pensive or sad way, but then grow into something epic. "The production is minimalist in places but with a high level of detail and focused quality control. When you listen multiple times, you’ll discover more layers. It’s hard to capture it in just one or two words, but these descriptions offer a glimpse of its essence."

The music of Slowly Rolling Camera flows through three dimensions: the first belongs to the recording studio, where they captured the feelings and scenes that inhabited their minds and spirits; the second, the everyday lives of those who choose them to soundtrack the plot of their days; and finally, the concert, where musicians and spectators come together to create a film never seen before—one that, through improvisation, will be unique and unrepeatable.